For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

Wherefore, though I have in Christ great liberty to enjoin thee what is becoming,

I entreat thee for my son, whom I have begotten during my bonds, Onesimus:

whom I have sent back; thou therefore receive him, even as my own bowels:

whom I wished to detain about myself, that in thy stead he might have waited upon me during my bonds for the gospel:

I Paul have given it under my own hand, I will repay it, not to say to thee, that thou owest even thine own self unto me.

Yea, brother, I wish to have joy in thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Having confidence in thy obedience, I have written unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do more than I say.